Balancing Chemical Equations

Dr. B explains how to balance the chemical equation of iron reacting with hydrochloric acid to form iron(II) chloride and hydrogen gas. The process involves counting the atoms on both sides of the equation and adjusting coefficients to ensure the number of each type of atom is equal on both sides. The video concludes with a confirmation that the equation is balanced.

What are the initial numbers of iron, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms on the reactant side of the equation?

• 1 iron, 1 hydrogen, 1 chlorine

• 2 iron, 2 hydrogen, 2 chlorine

• 1 iron, 2 hydrogen, 2 chlorine

• 2 iron, 1 hydrogen, 1 chlorine

Why is it necessary to adjust the number of hydrogen and chlorine atoms on the reactant side?

• To balance the equation with the product side

• To decrease the number of hydrogen atoms

• To change the chemical reaction

• To increase the number of iron atoms

What is the purpose of adding a coefficient in front of HCl in the equation?

• To increase the number of iron atoms

• To decrease the number of chlorine atoms

• To balance the number of hydrogen and chlorine atoms

• To change the chemical reaction

What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between iron and hydrochloric acid?

• Fe + HCl → FeCl3 + H2

• 2Fe + HCl → FeCl2 + H2

• Fe + 2HCl → FeCl2 + H2

• Fe + HCl → FeCl2 + H2

What does the coefficient '2' in front of HCl indicate in the balanced equation?

• Two molecules of iron

• Two molecules of iron chloride

• Two molecules of hydrogen gas

• Two molecules of hydrochloric acid